Ecuador Raises Its Level to Win, 2-0

Ecuador found it can win at sea level too. And at the World Cup, no less.

Playing in front of a boisterous pro-Polish crowd and far away from the comforts -- and high altitude -- of home, the team that struggled on the road in qualifying came through with one of its biggest wins ever thousands of miles from Ecuador.

Agustin Delgado set up a first-half goal and scored his own in the 80th minute to quiet the Polish fans with a 2-0 victory Friday in the World Cup opener for both teams.

Their credentials questioned because seven of their eight qualifying wins came more than 9,000 feet above sea level at their home stadium in Quito, the Ecuadoreans got off to a strong start near sea level in their second World Cup appearance.

“Ecuador was always criticized and what they were saying about Ecuador was you can only win when you’re playing at a very high altitude,” Coach Luis Suarez said through an interpreter. “But despite the atmosphere and the low altitude, we managed to win.”

After losing its first two matches on the way to first-round elimination at its World Cup debut in 2002, Ecuador is tied atop Group A with host Germany, which beat Costa Rica, 4-2, earlier Friday. Ecuador plays Costa Rica on Thursday.

“This was a great result. We achieved our expectations,” Suarez said. “But this is just a step. The mountain is great. This is just the first step for Ecuador in this World Cup.”

Ecuador did a good job protecting a 1-0 lead provided by Carlos Tenorio’s goal in the 24th minute.

Captain Ivan Hurtado and Neicer Reasco helped thwart the few chances the Poles got, although Poland hit the goalpost twice in the final minutes.